Last hurdle is Israel: 'No withdrawal from southern Lebanon'

Israel has declared it will not withdraw from its security zones in southern Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria, signaling a potential continuation of its military operations in the region. This declaration comes despite reports of a U.S.-Iran agreement aimed at achieving an immediate and lasting cessation of hostilities.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that Israel would retaliate if Iran were to attack in response to events in Lebanon. He further stated that the security zone in southern Lebanon would be cleared of local residents and "all terrorist infrastructure, including houses in border villages," a clear reference to Hezbollah.

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Israel will not withdraw from security zones in southern Lebanon, Gaza and Syria and will retaliate if Iran attacks Israel because of events in Lebanon.

Israeli forces have been conducting operations in southern Lebanon for weeks, targeting Hezbollah militants who they claim are situated within civilian areas. These actions have resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese Shiites to other parts of the country.

The Israeli government's firm stance on maintaining its security zones, even in the face of a potential de-escalation agreement between the U.S. and Iran, suggests a complex and potentially volatile situation in the region. The adherence to and effectiveness of any ceasefire agreement will likely be tested by these ongoing military activities.

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all terrorist infrastructure, including houses in border villages